Iran says it tests new missile, after US criticises arms programme

DUBAI — Iran said on Saturday it had successfully tested a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km and would keep developing its arsenal, despite US pressure to stop.

The United States has imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, saying its missile tests violate a UN resolution, which calls on Tehran not to undertake activities related to missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran says it has no such plans.

Britain voiced concerns about the latest test.

Iran said in its announcement on Saturday that the Khorramshahr missile could carry several warheads.

State broadcaster IRIB carried footage of the missile test without giving its time and location. It included video from an on-board camera which it said showed the detachment of the cone that carries multiple warheads.

“You are seeing images of the successful test of the Khorramshahr ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km, the latest missile of our country,” state television said, adding this was Iran’s third missile with a range of 2,000km.

The Khorramshahr missile was first displayed at a military parade on Friday, where President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would strengthen its missile capabilities.

“Extremely concerned by reports of Iran missile test, which is inconsistent with UN resolution 2231. Call on Iran to halt provocative acts,” British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter.

Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that Iran was building its missile capability and accused it of exporting violence to Yemen, Syria and other parts of the Middle East.

He also criticised a 2015 pact that the United States and other world powers struck with Iran under which Tehran agreed to restrict its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions.

“On the path to improve our country’s defensive capacity we will certainly not be the least affected by any threats and we won’t ask anyone’s permission,” Brigadier General Amir Hatami said in remarks carried by state television.

The United States says Tehran’s ballistic missile tests violated a UN resolution that endorsed the nuclear deal.

Iran denies its missile development breaches the resolution and says its missiles are not designed to carry nuclear weapons.

“The weight of the Khorramshahr missile’s warhead has been announced to be 1,800kg, … making it Iran’s most powerful missile for defence and retaliation against any aggressive enemy,” state television said.